When you know you're clinging but can't let go

(From Guy Armstrong)


Ajahn Cha: 60-70% of practice is knowing that you're clinging but still not being able to let go.

What to do in those situations?

- Nothing. Note clinging, be with it. Mindfulness.

- Expand the zone of equanimity to hold this state.

- Feel the clinging in the body

- See if you can identify where it's coming from: desire, aversion, etc.

- Have compassion toward the situation. Everyone gets stuck.

- Surrender. Relax, it'll pass at some point.

- Sometimes the mindfulness will make the clinging disappear, and sometimes it won't. Note frustration when it doesn't -- sign of expectation. Don't judge any of that.

The middle way: both tranquil and alert. Receptive and responsive.